Since the founding of our country, over one million men and women have given their lives serving in our armed forces so that we might be safe and free.  President John F. Kennedy once said, "the cost of freedom is high, but Americans have always paid it".  And he was right.  America is, and has continued to be, the "Home of the Brave and Land of the Free", because we have always been blessed with people who care far more about the welfare of others than they do for themselves. 

We need to remember to thank them, and that is why I want to share with each of you a story about a Marine that my little girl and I met while shopping at the grocery store.  He touched our hearts, as I am sure he has touched the hearts of many-and saved their lives as well. 

We met this Marine as we stood in the aisle trying to find some fun foods to send to a friend who was also serving in the Marines in Iraq and we started talking about the war. He told me that he had also served in a war; he had served in Vietnam.  I thanked him for his service, for being willing to risk his life so that our children might live safe, and free.  And this brave, strong man, started to cry.   He was so deeply touched that someone would thank him, would appreciate what he had done.

As we stood there in the grocery aisle, he told me of how his father had served before him and how his two sons now currently served.  And he beamed with pride as he told me of the picture that hung above his mantel of his two sons in uniform.  And when he spoke of his family’s tradition of “Answering Our Nation’s Call”, he brought tears to my eyes as well.  This man, this family, is one of so many.  And we are so privileged to have so many men and women who willing to risk their lives, and who so often must live with the scars of war, so that we might remain safe and free.  And it struck me that if just a few words of thank you could touch this veteran so deeply, then we must not be saying thank you, nearly enough.

As we said good-bye, he wished me a “Blessed day”, and indeed it was.  Because I truly felt blessed to have met this man, a man of faith and a veteran of war.   And I will never forget his sacrifice, or the sacrifices made by the countless men and women currently serving in Iraq.  May God bless them and keep them safe. 

And as we celebrate our country's freedom this July 4th, may we keep each of these brave men and women in our prayers, and remember to thank them when they come home.